In the kitchen.

Chen Xu listened to the discussion of the two little demons and took out an iron pot he had purchased from the stock of the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

He didn't use magic but instead followed the honest way before he began his cultivation, using a fire starter to ignite the fire.

In the stove, orange-red flames fell on the dry, fluffy tinder, and with a whoosh, lit the four-cornered setup of firewood.

The blazing light reflected in Chen Xu's eyes as he pondered: What is the taste of the common folk?

Chen Xu lit the fire, first washing the rice to cook porridge.

During the porridge cooking process, he took out a piece of pork with a good balance of fat and lean, finely chopped it for a meat filling, and prepared to bake a thousand-layer meat pie.

The dough was kneaded in advance and set aside to proof. With the climate getting warmer, the dough proofs quickly; as long as the timing is managed well, preparations can be made simultaneously.

He also took some edible amaranth from the ingredients section of the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, blanched and chopped it finely, then sprinkled some sauce and rice vinegar to mix evenly.

It's a pity there were no chili peppers; otherwise, chopped up, the flavor would be even better.

Nonetheless, the gradually spreading aroma of food was making the two little demons drool with greed.

Gradually, the two little demons stopped debating.

The small mouse ran over to the stove excitedly, saying, "Scholar, I'll help you stir the porridge. Once the rice grains blossom, isn't it necessary to stir frequently to prevent sticking to the pot?"

It turns out that the small mouse had carefully observed Chen Xu's cooking before, so it had remembered some simple processes.

Chen Xu found it quite amusing, so he handed the long pot spoon to it and instructed, "It's time to stir, but be very careful not to fall into the pot."

The small mouse squeaked joyously, holding the long spoon handle with its little paws, responding quickly:

"I won't fall, don't worry, Scholar. I know mana, I definitely won't fall into the pot!"

It puffed out its chest and stirred seriously. Smoke wafted up from the pot, reflecting on its furry mouse face, truly a wondrous sight.

The little hedgehog wasn't willing to be left out, quickly volunteering to help with the fire.

Wei Yuan said, "Brother Chen, although I don't know the fire technique, I can control the stove clay. Rest assured in leaving the fire-tending to me, I will take good care of this stove clay."

Chen Xu indeed entrusted the fire-tending to Wei Yuan, then after some thought, offered it some pointers on the essentials of understanding the fire technique.

He told it, "Ah Yuan, fire is the source of civilization. When living creatures ignite a flame, it is the first step away from eating uncooked food.

Therefore, the first level of flame represents heat and combustion. It not only has destructive power but also is a fire source and energy.

As the saying goes, all things glorify with fire; this is the work of Yang Qi.

All living creatures, with spiritual nature, contain true fire.

This true fire, different from the substantial flames between heaven and earth, is born from the heart and is the energy foundation for all activities of living creatures.

For us humans, refining essence to transform Qi, Qi into true fire, with true fire rising to circulate throughout, is one of the roots of progress in the Human Race's cultivation.

Demons and humans seem vastly different, but in terms of the essence of life, they are quite similar.

Ah Yuan, feel your own true fire, then use it to control the flame before you..."

Chen Xu thus instructed Wei Yuan, who felt he understood something yet still found many things vague and difficult to penetrate.

The little hedgehog crouched by the stove, eyes wide with excitement.

It focused intently on the flames dancing in the stove, internally digesting Chen Xu's words over and over.

The profound ideas flowed through Wei Yuan's heart, as if the little hedgehog's eyes also birthed a flame.

Little did one know that Chen Xu, while teaching Wei Yuan the fire technique, was also ruminating and comprehending the various true meanings of his own words.

As the saying goes, "Reviewing the old to understand the new."

As he spoke, the words of instruction from Chen Xu's own mouth made him realize how superficial his previous understanding was.

As he delved deeper into his explanations, Chen Xu gradually perceived that in his Dantian, there seemed a faint fire rising.

This was different from the fire technique he controlled.

At this point, the flame was more like something born from the source of his own life.

As the flame rose, it scorched not just the innate Qi in Chen Xu's Dantian.

But more so, his Essence, Divine Soul, and Qi Blood.

Essence is the fundamental source of life from the moment of birth, thus increasing essence can extend longevity.

Divine Soul, in the human body, is the root of will among the three treasures; without it, even the strongest body would be no more than an animated corpse.

Qi Blood, to some extent, seems a transformation of essence, but it's much more than just that.

The abundance of Qi Blood comes more from acquired training and nourishment; the more vigorous the Qi Blood, the more vibrant the life force.

By combining and refining these three, different true Qi can be obtained!

Chen Xu's innate Qi benefits from the balance of the three elements, thus returning Qi to the innate, distinct from ordinary true Qi.

This is also the reason he can defeat some in the Condensing Pill stage with Meridian Passage Realm cultivation.

Previously, Chen Xu had opened the Twelve Main Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, reaching the pinnacle of the Meridian Passage Realm.

The thickness of the innate Qi in his Dantian was like a deep azure pond, nearly reaching a state of no increase and no growth.

And this was with Chen Xu having repeatedly expanded his meridians and Dantian.

Clearly, his foundation was exceptionally solid.

Yet, this also brought about a significant problem.

Because the innate Qi in the Dantian was too abundant, Chen Xu almost couldn't compress and condense this vast true Qi into a Golden Core.

Until now, a vague flame began burning in the Dantian.

The originally cool and tranquil innate Qi started to heat, seeming to boil.

Chen Xu felt that the opportunity indicated by the Spiritual Cicada Jade Robe indeed arrived, vague and fleeting.

But this was not enough.

Far from enough.

If the physical body is considered a furnace, ignition is merely the first step in awakening the furnace.

But to cause a qualitative change in the essence within the furnace, it seemingly requires various and different seasonings.

Chen Xu directed the small mouse to finish cooking the white porridge, which he then served himself.

The glistening white porridge was placed in a large celadon sea bowl, steam rolling, the purest grain aroma fully evoked.

The small mouse couldn't help but exclaim intoxicatedly:

"So fragrant! How can just a bowl of white porridge be so aromatic?"

As it praised, it couldn't stop the gurgling of swallowed saliva in its throat.

It was truly too fragrant.

Not just the aroma of the white porridge was wafting around, but also that of the thousand-layer meat pie, tightly clinging to the oiled iron pot walls.

Sizzle, the mingling of oil scent, flour aroma, meat fragrance... various aromas combined, suddenly elevated by high temperature.

The extremely domineering aroma of the meat pie instantly overwhelmed the senses of Ah Shi and Wei Yuan.

Even Chen Xu himself couldn't help but immerse in the rich scent of the food at that moment.

His culinary skills had improved after recent practice, now mastering each degree of heat perfectly.

The most ordinary home-cooked food in the world could indeed be this fragrant.

Bam, bam, bam!

Suddenly, a knocking sound came from the outside.

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